Successful Steps

Insights by Mistake

Andrew Rocha — June 19, 2022

Last week, I realized I made a mistake. While it was by no means catastrophic, it was still an oversight.

Being Intentional with Index Cards

Andrew Rocha — June 11, 2022

In our endless pursuit for more, we’ve eliminated barriers and signs of friction in favor of convenience.

Infinite scrolling on websites and social media feeds.
Autoplay features on video-streaming sites.
Endless results on Google and countless choices on Amazon.

I find myself following a similar limitless habit; I’m always looking for more to do to fill the time.

Becoming Bored

Andrew Rocha — June 5, 2022

We’re addicted to being busy.

We rush from task to task, trying to keep up with the endless chase of more. More work, responsibilities, events, and errands. It’s so common that we wear it as a badge of honor. Busy is how we reply when people ask how we’re doing. It fills us with a sense of self-importance and achievement. It keeps us occupied, and it fills our lives.

How to Give Well

Andrew Rocha — May 29, 2022

Have you ever wanted to do something, but you were too full of doubt to do it? That’s how I used to be with charity. Every time I wanted to donate, a line of questions stopped me in my tracks.

Slow Up

Andrew Rocha — May 22, 2022

In a world where we value fast food, instant results, and same day delivery, we all crave a fast-paced lifestyle.

We don’t consider a slower lifestyle because we associate it with bumper-to-bumper traffic, long lines, and tedious processes.

When in Doubt, Go Without

Andrew Rocha — May 15, 2022

My work laptop and the family laptop both crashed within five minutes of each other.

The following days were hectic and stressful. Work still needed to be done and we were unsure if we’d ever see some of those precious family photos again.

Sharpen the Ax and Cut

Andrew Rocha — May 8, 2022

Abraham Lincoln said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.” Popular self-help expert Stephen Covey shares this approach as the seventh habit in his book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” The principle of preparation before action is not limited to personal growth - it's also echoed in high-performance environments, where strategy and anticipation define success. Within the digital realm, this mindset finds a parallel in platforms like city center online, where user engagement is not left to chance but is carefully shaped through design, pacing, and attention to detail. The outcome, much like in life, depends on how well the groundwork is laid.

It’s critical we sharpen the metaphorical ax. Expressions like, “Work smarter not harder” exist for a reason. Yet even the habits of highly effective people provide negative returns when taken to the extreme.

Successful Steps Game

Andrew Rocha — May 1, 2022

We all have a favorite childhood game, mine was checkers. I love strategically moving one square at a time, ready to capture the opponent’s pieces.

Yet how do we continue to be strategic as we get older and set out to achieve our goals? Goals can be ambitious, overwhelming, and scary.

A Three Quarter Mindset

Andrew Rocha — April 24, 2022

The other day my friend and I were going to an event, and I was unsure what to wear. I asked, “Are you wearing a short sleeve or long sleeve shirt?”

Do the Dishes

Andrew Rocha — April 17, 2022

The past couple of years have brought no shortage of stressors to people across the world. Wars, a global pandemic, and political tension are only a sample.

When we have big problems, we want big solutions.